108 ^tnantu of tJie ^vttu 



fellow spread one of his glossy wings in 

 the sunlight. 



*'We have taken our northern flight 

 very leisurely this spring and have ar- 

 rived in fine condition, which is largely 

 due to my judgment, I take it." 



" And good weather," squawked an old 

 grackle at the top of the tree. 



** Don't interrupt me," snapped the 

 chairman in his most rasping tones, and 

 the offender looked very humble and did 

 not open his bill again for the entire 

 meeting. 



" Three times upon the way have we 

 seen the fruit-trees blossom. Once in 

 New Jersey, once on Long Island, and 

 once here." 



'' Where, where? " piped a score of birds 

 at once. 



" Look yonder," returned the chair- 

 man, scornfully. I looked in the direc- 



